FEDORA - tiata fahodzi joins our network!

tiata fahodzi © tiata fahodzi i

tiata fahodzi joins our network!

Details

30 July 2025

United Kingdom

Organisational Members

We are delighted to welcome tiata fahodzi, the UK’s leading British African heritage contemporary theatre company, to our network.

Founded in 1997 by playwright and director Femi Elufowoju Jr, tiata fahodzi creates theatre that is fearless for a Britain of today — a society rich with languages, races, cultures and identities. The company tells contemporary stories in modern and innovative ways, placing the experiences of British African heritage and Black British diaspora communities at its core. Its work celebrates not only diversity but our shared humanity.

Since April 2021, tiata fahodzi has been led by award-winning playwright and theatre director Chinonyerem Odimba, who serves as both Artistic Director and CEO. Under her leadership, the company continues to grow its commitment to making ambitious theatre for mid-scale stages and supporting artists to be bold, experimental, and confident in their storytelling.

Over the past 25 years, tiata fahodzi has produced 31 shows, toured to 75 venues across the UK, and commissioned new work from over 23 artists. Its previous productions include seeds by Melanie Pennant, good dog by Arinzé Kene, mixed brain by Nathan Bryon, and the gods are not to blame by Bola Agbaje. More recent work includes Black Love, a new musical written and directed by Odimba; Talking About a Revolution, a triple bill of plays by Malaika Kegode, babirye bukilwa and Diana Nneka Atuona; and cheeky little brown, the debut play by Nkenna Akunna.

Beyond the stage, tiata fahodzi develops and supports the next generation of artists and audiences. Its programmes include initiatives for young comedy writers, community-based artistic collaborations, and staged readings that introduce local audiences to the richness of the Black British theatrical canon.

Based at Watford Library, and recently re-funded as part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio for 2023–26, tiata fahodzi continues to be a vital force in shaping a more representative and dynamic future for UK theatre.

🔗 Learn more about tiata fahodzi